By Peter J. Wallner[email protected]
New Grand Rapids Griffins coach Ben Simon filled out his coaching staff Monday as the Detroit Red Wings announced the hiring of assistants Matt Macdonald and Brad Tapper, both head coaches in the ECHL last season.
The additions join holdovers in assistant coach Mike Knuble, goaltending coach Brian Mahoney-Wilson and video coach Bill LeRoy to complete the staff for the 2018-19 season.

The NHL has ruled that Zadina was on loan to Halifax of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from his European club, Pardubice HC of the Czech Republic, according to general manager Ken Holland. That makes him eligible to play for the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins in 2018-19 if the Red Wings opt to send him there.

This would enable the Red Wings to recall him freely at any time, and he would be playing against better competition.

But Halifax might dispute that ruling in hopes of getting Zadina back next season, if he doesn't earn a spot with the Red Wings. Halifax claims Zadina is a CHL player. CHL players with junior eligibility must return to their junior clubs if they're not in the NHL.

Toronto is one of the closest team to GR yet they don't play each other. The Griffs didn't come to Toronto last year either. It doesn't make sense.

Click to expand...

Because the Griffins have played the Marlies 66 times in the regular season & 16 games in the playoffs from the 05-06 through the 15-16 season (mostly when the Griffins and Marlies were in the same division).

Griffins want to start playing more teams in the Eastern Conference especially teams that they have never played before (Belleville Senators will be their first encounter this season). It is possible that the Griffins could end up in the Eastern Conference within 2-5 years depending on other teams relocating/addition.

Topping, 21, spent the last four seasons as a member of the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League and compiled 218 points (109-109—218) and 202 penalty minutes in 243 regular season games. He totaled 17 points (6-11—17) and 20 PIM in 22 playoff contests while competing in the 2015, 2017 and 2018 postseasons. Topping was a teammate of Michael Rasmussen, the Detroit Red Wings’ first-round selection in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, for three full seasons (2015-18).

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound winger posted career highs in points (80), goals (38) and assists (42) in 72 appearances during the 2017-18 campaign. Topping scored a team-high 38 goals – the second time in his WHL tenure he surpassed the 30-goal plateau – and tied for 20th on the circuit. He placed second on the club in points while also ranking among the team’s leaders in shots (246, T1st), power play goals (12, 2nd), assists (3rd) and power play assists (19, T3rd). Topping added 14 points (4-10—14), a plus-nine rating and 10 PIM in 14 postseason contests as Tri-City fell in six games in the conference finals.

A native of Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Topping also spent one season with the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the British Columbia Hockey League in 2013-14, tallying 15 points (10-5—15) and 39 PIM in 51 games.